Asian Arts Take Over Vancouver:
Top 7 Music Events for Asian Heritage Month

Asian Heritage Month Event 2 - Zakir Hussain (Vancouver / Victoria)

Saturday Apr 27, 2024 - Vancouver
Show 8:00 pm / Doors 7:00 pm
Venue: Chan Centre For the Performing Arts (UBC)
Tickets (starting at $43): https://caravanbc.com/events/zakir-hussain-trio-tisra-vancouver-show/

Sunday Apr 28, 2024 - Victoria
Show 7:30pm / Doors 6:30pm
Venue: Royal Theatre, Victoria, BC
Tickets (starting at $48.25): https://caravanbc.com/events/zakir-hussain-trio-tisra-victoria-show/

Caravan World Rhythms presents Indian Classical tabla virtuoso and world music legend Zakir Hussain, making a highly anticipated return to Vancouver and the Chan Centre with a virtuosic trio featuring female flute player Debopriya Chatterjee and legendary Sarangi player Sabir Khan.

Asian Heritage Month Event 3 - Raagaverse Album Release

Thursday, May 9, 2024
Show: 7:00 PM
Venue: Fox Cabaret, Vancouver
Tickets ($23.13): https://www.showpass.com/raagaverse-jaya-release-concert/

Raagaverse, led by singer-composer Shruti Ramani, featuring Jodi Proznick, Noah Franche-Nolan, and Nicholas Bracewell, debuts their album "Jaya" at the Fox Cabaret on May 9, 2024. Shruti, a young, queer, Indian immigrant in Canada, celebrates her cultural journey through music, blending North Indian Classical and Black-American Jazz. Trained in the Agra Gharana tradition by Dr. Ritu Johri, Shruti acknowledges the influence of Black-American music on her work. "Jaya" pays homage to her mother and mentor. Collaborating with her band, Shruti crafts a musical narrative reflecting her dual heritage. Raagaverse's fusion of rich musical traditions explores themes of love, grief, and longing, bridging ancient and contemporary sentiments. The band's name symbolizes their musical ethos, blending modal melodies and jazz harmonies into a vibrant, renewing sound. "Jaya" promises a journey into the magical realm of Raagaverse, where cultures converge harmoniously.

Asian Heritage Month Event 4 - Short Songs: Music and poetry with Jo Hirabayashi & Robyn Jacob, Jane Shi

Thursday, May 10, 2024 & Friday, May 11, 2024
Show: 7:00 PM
Venue: Morrow creative space by Odd Meridian - 910 Richards St. – Unit 204, Vancouver BC, V6B 1T3
Sliding scale tickets $15 – $25 – $40: https://oddmeridian.ca/short-songs.html

Expect a chill and meandering evening of performance by two extraordinary musical artists who collaboratively create together for the first time! After working alongside each other in multiple projects, (Jo Passed, Only A Visitor, The Giving Shapes), composers Robyn Jacob and Joseph Hirabayashi co-author a series of short songs exploring their process as songwriters. As a reaction to the often isolated and personal nature of songwriting they will be exploring a collaborative method valuing intuition, play, lightness and imperfection.

Joining Robyn and Jo are percussionists Adrian Avendaño and Gregory Samek, as well as opening act Jane Shi.

Asian Heritage Month Event 5 - Drumming Up Spirit featuring Sawagi Taiko and Tzo'kam

Sunday, May 12th, 2024
Show: 2:00 PM
Venue: Annex, Vancouver
Sliding scale tickets $15 - $30: https://DrummingUpSpirit.eventbrite.ca

Vancouver Independent Music Centre Society (VIM), in association with the Powell Street Festival Society, invite you to an electrifying afternoon of drumming and rhythm! This will be an unforgettable event showcasing the incredible talents of Sawagi Taiko and Tzo'kam on Sunday, May 12 at 2 PM at the Annex in Vancouver.

This event features two groups of multi-generational Indigenous and East Asian artists, drawn together by their passion and dedication to traditional music in contemporary times, a community focus, and the power of these shared experiences. Bringing Sawagi Taiko and Tzo’kam back together for one exhilarating performance, Drumming up Spirit isn’t one to miss.

Tickets are selling FAST so get them now!

Asian Heritage Month Event 6 - EARLY SHOW: TABBIES WITH CHRISTINE LEE

K-pop night at Taphouse x Kdailycanada
Friday, May 17th, 2024
Show: 8:00 PM (Vendors 7:00 PM)
Venue: The Taphouse Guildford, Surrey 

Tabbies is a Korean trio formed in 2022 and even though they are a new group, they have been bringing the groove to the local Vancouver music scene. It could be your favourite songs that you sang along to growing up, or it could be hidden gem songs that you will hear for the first time. Their background ranges from jazz, hiphop, r&b, and funk, so you can expect just about everything. No promises here but they will surely get you grooving.

More at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tap-into-k-pop-at-taphouse-tickets-865627584407

Asian Heritage Month Event 7 - Sound of Dragon Festival

The 6th Annual Sound of Dragon Music Festival returns to Vancouver May 23-26, 2024, with three genre-smashing intercultural concerts and three free community events, including music jams, workshops, and performances.

3 Concerts, 8pm at the Annex:

May 24, Anand Avirmed (Mongolia) & friends – Mongolian throat singing, horsehead fiddle, and more
May 25, Yang Xue’s Bows & Strings’ Dance (Beijing) & Vancouver Erhu Quartet
May 26, From Chinese Winds & Percussion to Indonesian Gamelanwinds: Zhongxi Wu, Charlie Lui, Tim Chen;percussion: Hsuan-Ning Huang (Edmonton), Katie Rife, Jonathan Bernard, and Dailin Hsieh; Orchid Ensemble with Sutrisno Hartana & Purwanta (Java, Indonesia)

Tickets: https://soundofdragon.com/festival/2024-festival/anand-avirmed-2024/

5 Questions with Ahmed Moneka of Moneka Arabic Jazz 

"It has truly been an incredible journey, and I am grateful for the support and encouragement of all those who have helped us along the way."

Ahmed Moneka is a multidisciplinary artist whose mission is to "spread love, peace, acceptance, and a sense of 'global community' by connecting cultures, consequently countering the negative, stereotypical perspective of Arab culture". Among his many projects, Moneka Arabic Jazz stands out as an emblem of this mission.

In anticipation of the Moneka Arabic Jazz concert on April 18th at the Hollywood Theatre, we asked the effervescent bandleader a few questions about his journey with music, his inspirations, and his favourite venues to perform in. Read below to learn more about Ahmed Moneka and Moneka Arabic Jazz:

Moneka Arabic Jazz makes their Vancouver debut on April 18th

1. What drew you to start making music, and how has that passion grown over time?

"My connection with music started when I was just four years old, learning my family's Sufi-African ritual. But when I moved to Canada in 2015, the language barrier drew me to start making music. As an actor who lost his words, I wanted to share and communicate my culture through music. I was fascinated by how music is a universal language that can bring people together, so I started sharing my Arabic/Iraqi heritage with my new home and people. I also realized that there's a lack of information about Iraq and Arabic countries among people here in Canada. So, I became more determined to deliver joyful, heart-ful music that makes people enjoy and learn about my warm Arabic culture.

It's a great feeling to see people appreciate my music and culture. I'm glad that I can make a difference through my passion for music."

 2. Can you share a memorable moment that shaped your musical journey?

Moskitto Bar

"My first band in Canada is Moskitto Bar, a fusion of Balkan, Celtic, and Arabic music. I was inspired by the compliments and interest I received from people who heard my Arabic songs and melodies. I created Moneka Arabic Jazz, a musical project that would serve as a bridge between my Arabic, African, and North American journeys. As our reputation grew, we started getting offers to perform at international events. We were thrilled to have the opportunity to share our music with people around the world.

Today, Moneka Arabic Jazz is a national and international band that has captivated audiences with our soulful and eclectic style. It has truly been an incredible journey, and I am grateful for the support and encouragement of all those who have helped us along the way."

3. How do you think collaborating with other artists influences your music?

"The collaboration allowed me to expand my horizons.  For example, in this project, Demetrios Petsalakes is Greek, and he learned Jazz and rock and played the oud Arabic instrument. Waleed Abulhamid is Sudanis, a professor at UFT and Humber College, and he is very knowledgeable about African music and playing the bass. Max Sennit is also a drummer and a JUNO winner drummer with another band. Selcuk Suna is a well-known Turkish Saxophonist, and Majd Sukkar specializes in Arabic Maqam, originally from Syria… All these musicians add a lot to the band's arrangement and sound."

4. What themes or topics do you often explore in your songs, and why do they matter to you?

"Love, Safety, Togetherness, Immigration, Women's rights and hope, surviving... because I want to reveal who we are [and] why we deserve to live."

Photo: Ksenija Hotic

5. What are you listening to these days?

"Umi, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Cariokee, Strome"

Bonus Question: Do you have a favourite venue to perform in?

In Toronto:
Drom
Lula Longe

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